Editing Pope Benedict XII (section)

===Emperor Louis IV===
Following Benedict's election, ambassadors were received from [[Louis IV, Holy Roman Emperor|Emperor Louis IV]] seeking a pardon and an end to the conflict.{{sfn|Lee|2018|p=259-260}}{{sfn|Mollat|1965|p=221}} Benedict, who was entreated by Louis' ambassadors why the emperor should be pardoned, had declared his intentions in favour of Louis.{{sfn|Mollat|1965|p=221}} By the end of 1335, however, political manoeuvring by both [[Philip VI of France]] and Louis IV,{{efn|Louis IV entered into an alliance with Edward III of England.{{sfn|Lee|2018|p=260}}}} had pressured Benedict into delaying negotiations.{{sfn|Lee|2018|p=260}}

The interdict placed on the [[Holy Roman Empire]] had caused havoc; the rebellion of the archbishop of Mainz (1329–1332),{{sfn|Engel|2008|p=114}} disagreements between the Hospitallers, the Teutonic knights and the Francicans, while the secular clergy largely defied it.{{sfn|Mollat|1965|p=221}} Benedict again received ambassadors from Louis, after German bishops and the Estates of the Empire implored Louis to find a settlement.{{sfn|Mollat|1965|p=223}} An agreement was never reached.{{sfn|Lee|2018|p=260}} In response, at Rhens on 16 July 1338, the Estates passed a new declaration giving the Emperor authority over all rights and goods within the Empire without the need of papal approval and that all decrees against Louis by John XXII were "an offense against God" and illegal.{{sfn|Lee|2018|p=260}}

Despite this, Benedict sent his chaplain, Arnaud de Verdale, to entreat with Louis and was assured by the emperor and prince electors of a forthcoming embassy.{{sfn|Mollat|1965|p=224}} No ambassadors ever arrived from Louis and Benedict's attempt to restore the [[Holy Roman Empire]] to papal supervision came to nothing.{{sfn|Mollat|1965|p=224}}